The mysterious world of Pakistan cricket

Dead tour walking

Shahid Afridi's players have acquired the greatest responsibility in the history of Pakistan cricket: the responsibility to save Pakistan cricket from the recklessness of their colleagues and the negligence of all the President's men

Four months ago Pakistan were the most feared team in Twenty20 cricket. Four days ago they were dreadful. This is a dead tour walking and it is up to Shahid Afridi's team to bring it back to life. A summer that began with hope and ambition is ending in total disaster. A demoralised team is playing before numb supporters. If Pakistan's remaining players have clear consciences they need to show the world that their country has the pride and heart to face down the many challenges it faces.

As the saying goes, a fish rots from the head, and Pakistan cricket will not halt its death slide until the head of the cricket board is replaced. Yet Ijaz Butt appears as secure as ever, safe in his friendship with the President of Pakistan. We would all love to know the precise nature of the debt that Zardari owes Butt, beyond personal connections, because Butt's has been the most disastrous regime in the history of Pakistan cricket.

The world is powerless to break Butt's spell over Zardari. This sense of powerlessness complicates the grief that Pakistan supporters are currently experiencing. My impression is that Pakistan fans have been through a stage of denial and are hovering between anger and sadness, with the final stage of grief being acceptance. The current Pakistan players and management, assuming their innocence, must be cycling through similar stages.

I have reached a mood of sadness about the spot-fixing affair. I watched my first live Pakistan match 35 years ago, and have commented on Pakistan cricket for 15 years. In all those hours and days of my life lost to cricket, in all the million or so words I must have written about the team that once wore the green and gold with pride, I have never felt so disenchanted. Pakistan cricket has suffered every conceivable scandal yet this cut feels the deepest. Why?

I'm not quite sure what the answer is but I guess there are many factors that contribute to my malaise. This tour was billed as a lifeline for Pakistan cricket, a route to revenue and rejuvenation. The new-look team was supposed to offer a clean break from the past, boasting a bowling attack to rival any on the planet. Passionate support would fill stadiums and create an unforgettable spectacle.

We had glimpses of that dream but now we live a nightmare. Pakistan has been troubled by match-fixing allegations before but today's circumstances are the most perturbing. The Qayyum inquiry of a decade ago was unsatisfactory for many reasons, one of which was its failure to produce any compelling evidence for public consumption. The current crisis may not result in a criminal prosecution, and the ICC inquiry has still not reached a conclusion, but the recent allegations have shattered the confidence that fans have in their team.

Last time around we were still unsure of what really happened but this time the videos and the transcripts are difficult to dislodge from our minds. They may not prove guilt but they have shaken our belief in the integrity of the sport. All this on the backdrop of a crippling war and murderous floods.

Ultimately, though, this melancholy might be explained by the powerlessness to oust the people who many supporters believe have failed in their duty to preserve the integrity and the reputation of Pakistan cricket; people who should have kept agents from the team's door, selected wisely, and guided their young charges with greater responsibility.

The players may change by the day, one disaster might be outdone by a different calamity from one week to the next, but the cricket board and the team management are constants, unwilling to take any responsibility for supervising Pakistan cricket to intensive care.

The head of this fish is rotten, as is its bloated body. The players form the tail of this once vibrant, now monstrous creature, and it is the healthy parts of the tail that must wag this beast back to life. They should be boosted by two new additions in Asad Shafiq, a highly rated middle-order batsman, and Mohammad Irfan, the new Big Bird of international cricket. With Shoaib Akhtar and Afridi in the mix, even in its death throes, Pakistan cricket offers a twitch of fascination.

Now Afridi's players have acquired the greatest responsibility in the history of Pakistan cricket: the responsibility to save Pakistan cricket from the recklessness of their colleagues and the negligence of all the President's men. Sport can replace misery with joy but this is a deep melancholy and the most desperate of times. Can Boom Boom and his band of tortured men demonstrate the real power of cricket?

Hi Karmran,
Just wondering what it takes to comment on your blog? I have commented quite a few times but had no luck in getting them published on this blog. I understand it is your right to reject any comment however I was just curious if there is something in my comments that cause them rejected.
thanks for your blog posting .
regards
Ali

farrukh
on September 20, 2010, 3:53 GMT

it looks like they have planted listening devices in the rooms of Pakistani players.Whatever plan the team makes(e.g.controlling run rate at a certain point of the game, which is perfectly legitimate)is being conveyed to a tabloid, in advance, which is conveyed to ICC as match fixing,and is brought up as spot fixing after the match.This does not mean that Amir,Asif,Salman Butt and Akmal are not criminals.However rest of the team memmbers seem to be innocent

dilshad
on September 20, 2010, 3:17 GMT

the only action that can be taken is for all cricket playing nations to stop having any sort of cricketing ties with Pakistan.. then, may be, they will start cleaning up their stables. but that is wishful thinking

Rashid
on September 19, 2010, 21:39 GMT

Only one Pakistani who is respected home and abroad that is Imran Khan.If he takes the charge of PCB or country that would be something to cheer.

Omar
on September 19, 2010, 21:14 GMT

Totally agree to shehryar views....

PAPU-DADA
on September 19, 2010, 21:05 GMT

I think there is an octopus involve in match fixing he tells early English media that what is going to be happened in certain time of the game and media pass there knowledge to ICC and Poor Blind, Deaf ICC follow the media and launching the investigation without thinking listening or seeing who is the winner and who is the loser duh ICC.

Shehryar
on September 19, 2010, 20:54 GMT

Butt has once again lost the plot but this time it is going to hurt Pakistan cricket like never before. He is a fool to mess up our relationship with the ECB by accusing English players.

All know that the guy has no brains but surely someone close to his ‘Royal Thickness’ needed to remind him to be more careful mainly due to ECB’s goodwill to stage their ‘Home’ games on their shores. Also, when off-the- field things are going bad to worse for Pakistan cricket, PCB needed some friends around them – if we ever had any!!!

Mr. Butt’s recent statement has now also given Cricket Australia an excellent opportunity to take revenge of Howard’s nomination circus; they will now lobby to get Pakistan banned or major members to refuse to play Pakistan.

I do believe that there was a need for an ‘outburst’ from PCB against ICC because they are not managing these things carefully and damaging cricket in general by making public statements on allegations without substance but such ‘outbursts’ should be diplomatically crafted.

We all want to see cricket cleaned up for good but ICC have gone from one extreme to another (i.e. Warne’s cover up to current Haroon Logart media show). If ICC cannot investigate these allegations discreetly then they should also be told that we cannot allow public humiliation of our Cricketers based on some allegations reported by a third grade newspaper.

Muhammad Bhatti
on September 19, 2010, 20:28 GMT

Congratulations to India and all those dump Pakistani fans who think that Spot and Match fixing in the whole cricket world is only done by Pakistani cricketers. Look what ICC playing whose game. If India wants to win World cup and wnats to be number one it is better for them to buy world cup and number one spot from ICC. The day all the big money starting to come from Indian cricket board crickrt is more look like a circus rather a fun to watch and enjoy.
All the Big bookies are in India and they are fixing matches for all the teams in the world. That is why their board is also becoming fat because may be they are also getting their share as well. Indian cricketers become Millionare after a single match and no eyebrows raised.Their cricketers living in the hub of bookies but they are clean as water.Asif Iqbal former cricketer of pakistan correctly said whenever Pakistan win their is fixing allegations but if they loose then it is no problem.

sajjad_logic@yahoo.com
on September 19, 2010, 17:21 GMT

This is really funny....Now even PCB chief is talking of World conspiracy to defame Pakistan cricket.. Isnt it ridiculous. People conspire to bring down those who have something or have gained something.Except a solitary T20 World cup and 1992 World cup what else has been achieved. Most of series Pakistan plays it looses.. from winning position .No one wants to tour a country where there is average of at least 1 terrorist attack under daily. People retire and are banned as per convenience..caring a damn hoot about law and regulations. Countries refuse to give direct financial aid to govt because it is corrupt. Pakistan has not given one invention nor discovery that has benefited world. In fact only thing it is famous is the I.T exports...in this case IT not meaning Information technology but International terrorism...Be it PM or be it president on be it..al they seem to be asking is always for help...So in short nobody in worl is gain a penny worth of value by defaming already defamed.

Vina
on December 23, 2011, 17:05 GMT

No complaints on this end, smpily a good piece.

ali
on September 20, 2010, 17:45 GMT

Hi Karmran,
Just wondering what it takes to comment on your blog? I have commented quite a few times but had no luck in getting them published on this blog. I understand it is your right to reject any comment however I was just curious if there is something in my comments that cause them rejected.
thanks for your blog posting .
regards
Ali

farrukh
on September 20, 2010, 3:53 GMT

it looks like they have planted listening devices in the rooms of Pakistani players.Whatever plan the team makes(e.g.controlling run rate at a certain point of the game, which is perfectly legitimate)is being conveyed to a tabloid, in advance, which is conveyed to ICC as match fixing,and is brought up as spot fixing after the match.This does not mean that Amir,Asif,Salman Butt and Akmal are not criminals.However rest of the team memmbers seem to be innocent

dilshad
on September 20, 2010, 3:17 GMT

the only action that can be taken is for all cricket playing nations to stop having any sort of cricketing ties with Pakistan.. then, may be, they will start cleaning up their stables. but that is wishful thinking

Rashid
on September 19, 2010, 21:39 GMT

Only one Pakistani who is respected home and abroad that is Imran Khan.If he takes the charge of PCB or country that would be something to cheer.

Omar
on September 19, 2010, 21:14 GMT

Totally agree to shehryar views....

PAPU-DADA
on September 19, 2010, 21:05 GMT

I think there is an octopus involve in match fixing he tells early English media that what is going to be happened in certain time of the game and media pass there knowledge to ICC and Poor Blind, Deaf ICC follow the media and launching the investigation without thinking listening or seeing who is the winner and who is the loser duh ICC.

Shehryar
on September 19, 2010, 20:54 GMT

Butt has once again lost the plot but this time it is going to hurt Pakistan cricket like never before. He is a fool to mess up our relationship with the ECB by accusing English players.

All know that the guy has no brains but surely someone close to his ‘Royal Thickness’ needed to remind him to be more careful mainly due to ECB’s goodwill to stage their ‘Home’ games on their shores. Also, when off-the- field things are going bad to worse for Pakistan cricket, PCB needed some friends around them – if we ever had any!!!

Mr. Butt’s recent statement has now also given Cricket Australia an excellent opportunity to take revenge of Howard’s nomination circus; they will now lobby to get Pakistan banned or major members to refuse to play Pakistan.

I do believe that there was a need for an ‘outburst’ from PCB against ICC because they are not managing these things carefully and damaging cricket in general by making public statements on allegations without substance but such ‘outbursts’ should be diplomatically crafted.

We all want to see cricket cleaned up for good but ICC have gone from one extreme to another (i.e. Warne’s cover up to current Haroon Logart media show). If ICC cannot investigate these allegations discreetly then they should also be told that we cannot allow public humiliation of our Cricketers based on some allegations reported by a third grade newspaper.

Muhammad Bhatti
on September 19, 2010, 20:28 GMT

Congratulations to India and all those dump Pakistani fans who think that Spot and Match fixing in the whole cricket world is only done by Pakistani cricketers. Look what ICC playing whose game. If India wants to win World cup and wnats to be number one it is better for them to buy world cup and number one spot from ICC. The day all the big money starting to come from Indian cricket board crickrt is more look like a circus rather a fun to watch and enjoy.
All the Big bookies are in India and they are fixing matches for all the teams in the world. That is why their board is also becoming fat because may be they are also getting their share as well. Indian cricketers become Millionare after a single match and no eyebrows raised.Their cricketers living in the hub of bookies but they are clean as water.Asif Iqbal former cricketer of pakistan correctly said whenever Pakistan win their is fixing allegations but if they loose then it is no problem.

sajjad_logic@yahoo.com
on September 19, 2010, 17:21 GMT

This is really funny....Now even PCB chief is talking of World conspiracy to defame Pakistan cricket.. Isnt it ridiculous. People conspire to bring down those who have something or have gained something.Except a solitary T20 World cup and 1992 World cup what else has been achieved. Most of series Pakistan plays it looses.. from winning position .No one wants to tour a country where there is average of at least 1 terrorist attack under daily. People retire and are banned as per convenience..caring a damn hoot about law and regulations. Countries refuse to give direct financial aid to govt because it is corrupt. Pakistan has not given one invention nor discovery that has benefited world. In fact only thing it is famous is the I.T exports...in this case IT not meaning Information technology but International terrorism...Be it PM or be it president on be it..al they seem to be asking is always for help...So in short nobody in worl is gain a penny worth of value by defaming already defamed.

karan
on September 19, 2010, 16:33 GMT

All Pakistan's civilian governments since the foundation of the state have been hopelessly corrupt (and please don't compare the relatively minor corruption of our own expenses scandal,that would be to trivialize the scale of corruption in Pakistan),and its current one is certainly no exception. It has consistently been poorly rated on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index,being currently rated 139th of 180 countries. Tribal culture,which is almost by definition nepotistic and corrupt, persists in large parts of the country. I think that suggesting that corruption is a feature of Pakistani culture is not a controversial statement at all. Don't tell me you don't know the difference between race and culture? Given this context, it is no surprise that corruption has spread to sport. In fact, given the fact that Pakistani sport is run by politicians,it is ipso facto corrupt,because in a country with a strong civil society sport and politics would and should be separate

Salman
on September 19, 2010, 14:21 GMT

What a shame this bunch of looters and their agents have brought again to this country...it is an insult on our nation by these pathetic faces!!!

The indian controlled ICC is openly playing their dirty game, and every tom-dick and harry's criminal bookie phone call is now a lead into new investigations against our players, who are the best in the world....and the whole parliament and PCB sits and watch this nonsense that is crossing all limits....

We need to stop this insane plot in which, as our crooked leader Zardari, is his agent Ijaz butt, playing the pivotal role, by showing a pathetic face after every insult that the ICC is puttin on the face of our country, our players.....and our leaders are sitting and watching....

the indian controlled ICC, Ijaz butt and all the bookies involved need to be caught and put on trial in Pakistan....we need to stop this nonsense ....

aftab
on September 19, 2010, 13:18 GMT

The only interpretation of ICC's new investigation is that it does not consider PCB a 'member' any more. It has picked bookies against PCB. Not a good thing for Cricker, esp Pakistani fans, who were already without a representative Board. Now ICC has become a bookies' protection agency. Bookies, like the rest of us, may need legal protection as long as they are within the Law. But ICC providing it ahead of its cricketing duties, can be explaned by LUST only. ICC shame on you!!!
That is regardless of the truth of the matter.

Shehryar
on September 19, 2010, 13:17 GMT

I’m extremely frustrated with ICC, their handling of the latest allegations is appalling. They should’ve first contacted & consulted with ECB & PCB before going public, if they’ve concrete evidence than this series should be stopped immediately and a temporarily ban should be put on Pakistan cricket team until they are cleared of all wrongdoings and/or are appropriately penalised.

ICC’s handling of this scandal is causing more damage to cricket. If they want to clean up cricket than in my view, they should work on the basis that all cricketers, particularly from Indian sub-continent are ‘Guilty until proven Innocent’.

I do have a feeling that there could be forces working behind the scene, particularly after Mumbai terror attacks, to do whatever it takes to force Pakistan including cricket into years of wilderness and of course our corrupt Politicians, extremists, Cricketers and incompetent PCB are more than helping their cause.

M KHAN
on September 19, 2010, 11:47 GMT

PART 2 - I think it is high time the full cricketing bodies and especially PCB needs to take action against english media who keep posting allegations which never get proved.Seriously I think NOTW has a big case to answer if what they alleged against Pak team do not get proven.If never proved, which seems to be the case because come on let's face it with all the research and investigative material in the hands of anti-corruption unit i.e access to players mobile phones, bank accounts and to players themselves it should not be so difficult for them to prove guilt,they should be sued big time by not just pcb and PAK players but also by ICC & ECB for bringing the game in disrepute.Even the loyal PAK fans like myself should think of suing NOTW and Sun because of the hurt and mental anguish they have caused.
The latest allegations is so ridicoulus. I mean with all the spotlight fixed on the rest of PAK games, do u really think they will do something like this.also ODI's is formula cricket.

M KHAN
on September 19, 2010, 11:39 GMT

PART 1 - What rubbish - Now sun paper, part of news of world gutter press, joins the antiPAK rant/bashing.I don't know about this 'scoring pattern' thing but for sure evrytime PAK beat eng,the racist english press cannot stomach it and just goes on accusation spree.As a PAK,I am sick of the treatment PAK team has been getting from english press.It is always te case of allegations which never gets proved, which r unfounded but still does th damage of tainting PAK reputation which I guess is their objective.They never go after the whole truth and issue but always just focus and zoom in on Pak team, so their interest never lies in the well being of the game but to 'get after' Pak.
Examples include 1992 ball tampering issue which they ended with eggs on their face causes t was proven it is worldwide phonemona, hence reason hy botham/lamb lost their court case vs Imran.woolmer death - from day 1 they casted their allegations against PAK team, yet evidence proved he died of natural causes.

BeFair
on September 19, 2010, 6:16 GMT

I think this is the worst English press has to offer. To bend over backwards to keep accusing a vistiors team of spot fixing w/o proof to give your home side an advantage. Where does this stop? Even if Eng win the rest of the tour, it won't be a fair victory.

The way ECB has decided to not allow Pak to play in neutral venue next year for direspecting the game. I think if Pak players are innonect, Pak should ask British to also leave pak territory and Pak should leave this global war on terrorism. This war is also ruining the good name of Pakistan for what -- America and British?

hasni
on September 18, 2010, 16:43 GMT

i pray for paki players to survive from this worst spot fixing issue.they are our heroes if they survive, in others they should baned for whole life.
in short i expect the pakistan cricket team again to play with grace of like that akram and imran's era.

AN
on September 18, 2010, 15:55 GMT

@Adnan Ali: It is this kind of thinking that will keep Pakistan in a hole. Ignoring some silly T20 wins, Test series wins have been a long time coming esp. against major teams. An occasional single Test victory is all these world class bowlers can bring? I would rather have 4 competent bowlers and decent batters who bring some sort of consistency. And to think that a conspiracy is afoot is laughable. It is one of the lamest excuses one can come up with. The ECB went out of its way to arrange "home series" in England and the world gets to hear the Pak HC's "set up" theory in return. A fundamental question that has to be answered is why many shady blokes continue to associate with the team in one way or the other. I am not presuming guilt, but all this destroys what little credibility that was left. This affects other areas like flood relief, as sympathy is in short supply. It is a human reaction, and you cannot blame them.

Concerned
on September 18, 2010, 15:23 GMT

This is absoulutely ridiculous and almost comical!!??. Now Pakistani players put in their best efforts and win the game 'fair and square' as was evident from their body language and effort. And then "The Sun" comes along and sensationalizes their effort and degrades it with the bizarre story of 'scoring patterns'?! As if other teams do not have irregular scoring patterns including England. Why are not the other teams targeted who may seem to some to give away a match after having come so close to winning? Are the bookies in India and world surviving on a Billion Dollar Industry on Pakistani players alone? What's going on with the Press in UK? Will someone wake up and smell the coffee. Folks, what is going on here and what is the motive? Does only Pakistan Cricket sell their stories? If some nations want Pakistan to exit cricket, maybe it will happen, but then if the bookies survive, then all other teams are equally involved>>>

Muhammad Saidul Haque
on September 18, 2010, 8:30 GMT

Assalamulaim Kamran vhai, it finally has taken as the deeper satisfied peaceful breath-----a long deserved waiting win. But, in this circumstances Umpiring is the real crucial factor when any team loses any match like test/one-day or 20/20 while batting or bowling extremely hard during the match time. Pakistan is that team who has been struggling and surviving for couple of years by so called few miserable umpire's controversial questioned decisions. So, we all should hope the remaining two ODI matches must be operated honestly, neutrally & carefully while giving any important decision by the matured official Umpires. Afridi and all his team mates should be well organized & co-operated with each other showing their true fair patriotism and extremely very serious when they would batting, bowling & fielding. Good luck Pakistan. May the Almighty Allah protect Pakistan cricket team from all kind of disgusted miseries.

Adnan Ali
on September 18, 2010, 7:57 GMT

Pakistan team is under attack by british and Indian lobies. English news papers are producing the stuff and Indian ICC chief is playing the game. They have just tried to destroy Pakistan cricket by allegating the Key bowlers into the spot fixing and tried to break the back bone of world class bowling attack. Now they are trying to Destroy the image of pakistan's team in the world and the ICC chief is siding their agenda. We must highlight this crual reality to save the pakistan cricket.

fred
on September 17, 2010, 14:46 GMT

Did you see the Afridi runout in the third ODI? He was well home but took for ever to ground his bat, instead of dragging it over. Definitely looks like spot fixing. The ICC should definitely look into this. Lost all respect for Pakistan cricketers - greedy crooks.

HASSAN
on September 17, 2010, 9:32 GMT

Well Guys, cricket was, is and will be my most fav sports. These three stooges cannot take the cricketing passion away from me. I will continue to watch and play cricket and I will continue to support Pakistan team in every match they will play.... lets just pray that they perform better in their next game.

Tasnah
on September 17, 2010, 6:35 GMT

Afridi nneds to hit the ball... and Ijaz Butt needs to be sacked. And ehy presto... we are unbeatable.

saiful ansari, Leesburg VA USA
on September 17, 2010, 3:36 GMT

Eng is looking good and will sweep the series 5-0, unless by some miracle Shahid & his depleted side can rise up and turn the tide around. At this stage Salman, Amir & Asif all seem to be painted as guilty by association with Majeed - The media has best described them as guilty and ICC has suspended them. Now PCB is gradually waking up to brand the trio as suspicious. It is very likely that the boys left a trail in their confidence and will be suspended for life both by ICC & PCB. When that happens, more players could be found guilty, as the trio come out raising a finger at others. The circus will not end and one act will follow another act of madness.

Good souls like Younis Khan have no place on this Pak team, resigned to win money versus applause and laurels. I can't imagine why some of these young men want to sell their MOM so cheap? They have disgraced our nation for a handful of coins.
SHAME on the wrongdoers.

asad
on September 16, 2010, 23:32 GMT

No he cant!

Get off your lazy bum and do something yourself to galvinise support from fans and put pressure, lead a campaign to clean pak cricket for good.

Merely writing about the problems wont do anything.

aftab
on September 16, 2010, 21:48 GMT

Dear Kamran:
Could you do me a favor and write a column on Afridi, asking him to open the next match?
No?
What can I do??

AN
on September 16, 2010, 21:33 GMT

Why insist on living in a world of fantasy? The few good cricketers esp. bowlers came through despite the system. And it still did not lead to many series wins or some period of domination like the West Indies (1980s) or Australia (1995s to 2005s) or even some sort of consistency. East of the Wagah border, India has always accepted the fact that the team was two bowlers short and seem to want to do something. The assumption in Pakistan is that there is an endless stream of world beating international teams always ready and available and nothing has to be done other than make a few phone calls. This is deluded thinking as it results in raw insecure players who perform once in a while. Pakistan is not unique or special. If anything, the current venality in the leadership guaranties a downward spiral in every sphere not just cricket.

Sunny524
on September 16, 2010, 16:32 GMT

@Zaid,

Dude wake up!! Stop dreaming about something which is not gonna happen!!

Noor
on September 15, 2010, 21:37 GMT

There are rumors that Pakistan will not be able to play test cricket in forcible future. That would be a good things, it would allow Pakistan to get their house in order.
Pakistan's cricket has never been that low and under Ejah But we have seen an imbecile at the helm of PCB destroying Pak cricket along with those greedy players.

After the death of Benazir Bhutto Asif Ali Zardari’s like has been shifted towards the other gender that’s why he likes Butt specially when there is no opposition available from his life partner.

rshn
on September 15, 2010, 14:55 GMT

What is Ijaz Butt doing in New Delhi?

http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/477212.html

Why should India help a country which is damned by Rest of the World? I wish Ijaz is shown door and reminded him of his place.

waterbuffalo
on September 15, 2010, 10:01 GMT

Reading all your comments, I am surprised that nobody has mentioned going after the bookies in Karachi and Mumbai, doesn't Pakistan have an intelligence agency, and a police force? And they don't know who these bookies are? They don't know how to find them? I find that hard to believe. Bookies are destroying Pakistan Cricket, so why aren't the authorities going after them?

Omar Hussain
on September 15, 2010, 8:12 GMT

I share your sentiments Kamran.Have you noticed even with the storm going on Pakistan have almost won the first 2 ODIs? The talent that is in Pakistan and insha-allah will always be there will see that Pakistan cricket produce another Asif and Amir.Shafiq is a fresh breeze of hope and he is not the only one Pakistan has abundance of these hopefuls.As for Ijaz Butt like his president his time is soon coming to an end.Afridi is out of form but with him you never know though i am surprised at Kamran Akmal's form!I wonder why the selectors have ignored Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arfat in this hour of need.Have faith in the aspiring cricketers of our nation.Pakistan Zindabad!

Omar Al Khan
on September 14, 2010, 18:24 GMT

I feel its a good time for shahid to show up...
Everyone of us should give more time to d new team to settle out..
Match by Match they are improving...
Stop discussing the Nightmares of Pakistani Cricket...
M.Irfan should be given more time (No one is a hero on the first day of their match),may be waqar can help him more...(If he Knows the advantage of tallness in bowling :) ) ...
They are having so many matches ahead of world cup and During this time,they can bring back the RESPECT,UNITY And PASSION back to the team...
I Love Pakistani Cricket Team despite of all the criticism they face... :)

zaid
on September 14, 2010, 8:18 GMT

pakistan cricket has reached its slump. But dont lose hope . If you had observed pakistan cricket, they always come out winners or champions when they have got their backs to the wall. So i think what had happen to pakistan cricket now is a blessing in disguise, specially with the World Cup 5 to 6 months away.
If pakistan can regroup, and some how get the two M's back into the team.Along with shoib akthar and umar Gul,their bowling attack will be the best in the world.

Their batting looks much better with mohammed yousuf back in the team. If afridi can get back ino the form he was in the Asia cup, also with umar akmal in the middle order pakistan middle order can look threatening.

Mohammed Aslam
on September 14, 2010, 7:47 GMT

All viewers are writting about only bad part of the game and about players.Why some does not write the good things of team.Have you seen the batting of Kamran Akmal now? Many international wicket keeper are droping catches and this part of the game.Other players are also droping catches.Why everyone is after Kamran Akmal?ICC must keep good empires for the rest of the series.Fifty percent we are losing because of Empiers.And I donot understand the Commentatators who spoke only agains pakistan why their mouths do not open against any other team.ICC and all playing teams were afraid of performance of Aamir and Asif and purposily they are kept out before WORLD CUP.Shame for ICC what their staff has done for this match fixing etc.What they were doing before and after Newzenland and Australia series.Were the sleeping and hiding themselves.BIG QUESTIONS.BEST OF LUCK PAKISTAN TEAM AND PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.

Vishwa
on September 14, 2010, 6:38 GMT

@ali_a: You mentioned Warne, Waugh, Lille, Gibbs and Marsh, but you forgot one name: Mohammad Azharuddin!

JAVED A. KHAN
on September 13, 2010, 23:23 GMT

Kamran

We are voting you as the next PCB Chairman. Don't believe? Go on our blog and read it for yourself.

Javed

suresh shukla
on September 13, 2010, 18:48 GMT

@Faisal Jaan and some other pakistant fans, dear you are saying that u support pak team in thick and thin because they produce great talent. Now may I ask you that do u consider that match fixing by a player is same as a plyer being out of form. I can understand and appreciate u supporting a talented player in his bad patch but hw can we support them if they really r guilty of something so outrageously disasterous for sport. Please friends if you keep supporting such players, cricket will become WWE. WWE cricket will still have lot of fans but it will not be a sport....Now u will say that other players frm other countries might also be corrupt. So i would say prosecute them also when they get caught but letting these crooks free now will kill the game. Please guys, be the fans of cricket more than being fans of any perticular player....and try to save cricket and not the corrupt cricketers...

Mohammad Asad
on September 13, 2010, 15:36 GMT

Mohammad Asad from USA....

I am Bangladeshi but a good fan of Pak Cricket..I think Afridi & Co. are now reorganizing themselves for WC in a proper manner....
Yeah !! they need some time to overcome this current crisis....
As far as talent is concern....Pak has got enough...
They should pick / I guess they might pick young talent like Zunaid / Talla etc. to strengthen the current squad if needed..
Irfan .. he needs some guidance from Waqar and he needs some time too...
Asad Shafiq is a good pick in middle order..
Anyway Good Luck for Pak Cric !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

aftab
on September 13, 2010, 11:46 GMT

A political party that promises to privatize all form of cricket on winning next elections should win next elections.
Any takers? Mr. Nawaz Sharif?

Rashid
on September 13, 2010, 10:44 GMT

I knew this will be coming sooner or later.Bring back Younus and if we get any chance to get back Amir,too young to understand the tricks of Waqar ,and Salman.Izaz! if I comment it will be very bad so I restrict.Make Rashid latif PCB chair person.I knew the day Salman became captain it was all over for his carrier and Pakistan cricket.We need to make sure Shoib behave and Malik should not be allowed within 100 yards of pak team.

Husainy
on September 13, 2010, 5:56 GMT

ICC should show no mercy to any player even remotely found guilty of spot/match fixing to reserve the integarty of cricket. Those to talk about the poor economic background of some players or the education level, must surely can see that these players knew that they were doing wrong. How can then they be part of this game ever!!

usman
on September 13, 2010, 4:38 GMT

guys you ought to read this...
I was of a very stern view that these guys really did cheated. But after reading this I do feel that there is something fishy around. But i do believe that this thing happens in cricket but on this occasion, I am not sure after going through this. And I hold Rashids comment on match fixing to high level coz he did raised his voice on the matter when no one imagined it. I even remember the match which he himself won for pakistan after Pak were supposed to loose it. So please read this:

and Kamran i would like to know why these kind of informations are not shared on a forum like cricinfo where every cricket lover do come around every other day. Please try to make this public so that we can even see the other side of the story.

naveed
on September 13, 2010, 4:37 GMT

Pakistan cricket came through many crises ouer the years but we still produced most excited games and manage to be at one of the top sides.....PAKISTAN IS FULL OF CRICKET TALENT ..

Muzammil
on September 13, 2010, 4:23 GMT

Please if the players are involved they should be punished so that future players should remember before thinking of any match fixing, and if they are not involved and PCB and players are not going to file a suit against the lobby involved to destroy Pakistan image the Govt of Pakistan should take it serious and get rid of either these selfish people (players and PCB) or sue the lobby involved and win the respect we have lost.

Muzammil
on September 13, 2010, 4:22 GMT

Even if the players are not involved but they have destroyed their respect in Pakistan as well as international cricket.
No one is going to respect them anymore except us Pakistani fans, if they ever included in the playing eleven and performed well in near future we will forget what they had done and how they destroyed our name in the world of cricket.
If the players are not involved in match fixing, instead of just running back to Pakistan they should face and sue the NOTW and should get their names clear from this scandal once forever.
As of now everyone (the players involved, the PCB chairman, Director PCB, team manager etc) is happy that the players reached back to Pakistan. No one is thinking about the allegations, please note that only these players were not blamed whole Pakistani nation was blamed, the players have earned much and will live in some corner of Pakistan but as a Pakistani nation we have to face the world every day, if not us our children will have to. cont

ali_a
on September 13, 2010, 3:39 GMT

I am bewildered by some of the Indian comments and some from the renowned players like Ian Chappell, Bycott, Haidin, Warne and stupid Speed. Some are calling for banning Pak cricket or involved players for life. Can you guys shed your views on why Warne, Waugh, Lille, Gibbs and Marsh (and am sure some others which I cannot recall) were not banned for life for their involved with bookies? Why was Mike Atherton (Eng captain) twice caught on camera for ball-tempering not punished? Why was Warne involved in drugs not banned? What was the compelling reasons for just handing them fines and small punishments? I'm sure they"ll have their execuses. What all these famous personalities say simply show their bias against Pakistan. I believe Pak is only the country besides SA to handover life bans in past. Besides PCB's weaknesses regarding this spot fixing, it is also their weaknesses not to stand up against these personalities and ICC to point this difference in treatment. W/o fairness lets not t

ali_a
on September 13, 2010, 3:29 GMT

Just watched today's Pak Eng game that baffled me about Pak's team thinking. Only if coaches were listening to commentary they would have grabbed what they were doing wrong. This seemed to happen over and over again first in the champions trophy semi-final against NZ where Younis was criticised for giving away the singles. Then against Aus in 20-20 semi-final and then today. After scoring a handsome 294, Pak team were leaking singles like anything. Not sure why all the fielders were standing so far from the circle as if Trott or Strauss were hard hitting batsmen. Bowling wasn't that bad but what can you do about bad fielding strategy. One has to look at other teams who surround batsmen like Yousuf with so many closeby fielder if a tailender is batting. I am sorry to say but does not look like Pak team going anywhere in next WC. Enough of Malik, Yousuf, Butt and Afridi captains. Plz bring back Younis and save Pak cricket from eminent diaster. Afridi can be deptuy to Younis for 2 years.

Anuj
on September 13, 2010, 2:44 GMT

A view from the indian side of the border-

If those three players have been found guilty, ban them for life. No question about it. As an indian i refuse to beleive that pakistan cannot produce anopther talent like Amir. Banning pakistan from cricket is stupid and will not solve anything. Band the trio and anyone else found guilty and rebuild the team. But my nehibours, for all india and pakistant fight about- cricket would not be half as much as fun if pakistan did not continue to play.......so lets put this stuff behind us, find new talent and rise up as the ferocious competitors that you have been in the past. I am an indian but i feel strongly that pakistan can rid of this menance of corruption and build a new, more talented team!!!

Awan
on September 13, 2010, 2:35 GMT

Salam Kamran bhai! since we lost 1996 world cup we have been promising with our self for not watching any more Pak matches but still we waiste our whole or nights watching cricket matches. I believe we shouldn't be making any final conclusion about trio envolvment till they'll get charged by Police. What i was observing from long time that we have players in our team which were probably be doing match fixing or spot fixing for e.g Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Misbah and some othe but why i should blame them untill i have some proof. What News of the World did? is just a trap.... In past few years they did it for world politicans, different sports players and Media persons. They never had any solid evidense. Just faulty claims. Tell me one thing, ECB and English media claimed alot about Danish Kaneria involvment in match fixing but why he was find innocent from London local court on these charges because all the allegations was made on faulty prooves.

Abu Ahmad
on September 12, 2010, 23:44 GMT

Excellent article.As long as ahmad mukhtar and raza rabbani remain close cohorts with Zardari Ejaz Butt and Yawar Saeed will rule the roost to plunge pakistan cricket in deeper depth.We are already on threshold of of being pariah of international cricket.Urgent remedial steps need to be taken.Second odi was a close encounter and Asad Shafiq is a good discovery.Had boom boom come good both matches were ours.

muz
on September 12, 2010, 21:19 GMT

Bily Doctrove is a poor umpire missed inside glove without even considering the deviation of the ball - his decision was the turning point/also I think Irfan is wrong choice as he is really a bad bowler and terible fielder height is important in basket ball not in cricket

khan
on September 12, 2010, 20:18 GMT

IF THE WRITER OF THIS BLOG IS READING THIS..
PLEASE POST THIS IN THE PAPER..
JUNAID KHAN
MOHAMMED TALHA
YASIR SHAH
VERY GOOD YOUNG BOWLERS
SHUD BE GIVEN A CHANCE PLEASE

khan
on September 12, 2010, 20:14 GMT

guyz all of u..
only solution now is "young blood"
polish the young players..
in the pakistan A team we have youngsters like
junaid khan
mohammed talha
all of 20 years..
mohammed irfan is useless..he is not using his height at all
u guyz shud see the profiles of the players i mentioned above..
and the new batsmen asad shafiq has perfomed excellent..
gotta see sum new faces..

Muhammad Saidul Haque
on September 12, 2010, 20:13 GMT

Well, cricinfo editorial said the 2nd match between Pakistan & England was breathless finish!Really funny!Pakistan was at least 25/30 runs short from their scored total 294 runs which were not enough to defend the present informed dependable English Batsmen.So called familiar tired lazy bowlers of Pak team had bowled like a miserable out-controlled,over pitched sacrificing juicy deliveries which helped English batsmen to hit the ball easily anywhere in the ground.Another poorest bad wicket-keeping from Kamran Akmal dropped few more crucial edges and especially Shahid Afridi now-a-days becoming educated fool captain, because he is forgetting to place on the proper quality fieldsmen in crucial area.He also loses his important temper while batting or bowling.Why Abdur Rehman is in the reserve bench ? Is he not ideal to be replaced over Fawad Alam?And finally Irfan Khan--he should play much more in local domestic cricket to regain better experiences,thereafter he could have been selected.

Muzammil
on September 12, 2010, 13:25 GMT

If the trio proved guilty they should be banned forever without thinking that they are our heroes.
One should not forget that before playing for Pakistan they were no one and no one know them who they are.
Whatever name, popularity or heroism they got it was because they played for Pakistan.
No one knows who was Aamir before playing for Pakistan if he is involved in match / spot fixing he should be banned.
We have number of player in Q waiting for an opportunity, they need only grooming and for that we have one of the best for all time Waqar Younis to groom and polish them.
We should not forget that these player have given us bad name in the world.

Munawwer Khurshid
on September 12, 2010, 6:41 GMT

Ijaz Buto t is the most shameless person I have seen in my life, he needs to go ASAP.
Kamran needs to let go of keeping. I think his batting is beautiful and good enough to keep him in team. He will be able to perform much better if he is not thinking about his dropped catches.

waqar
on September 11, 2010, 22:02 GMT

Kamran why dont you file a petition in Supreme court to clear all this mess.i am sure a patriotic person like Justice Iftikhar will take up this matter seriously.

Vimaan
on September 11, 2010, 18:18 GMT

**Now Afridi's players have acquired the greatest responsibility in the history of Pakistan cricket: the responsibility to save Pakistan cricket from the recklessness of their colleagues and the negligence of all the President's men**
Do you think the rest of the guys in the Pakistan team have come from heaven or something. TYhey have come from the same country where no one has invested in proper education in 70 yrs. It is a big shame and I don;t expect any better from the remaining bunch. They are just as despicable as the rest.
You should stop hoping!

arun
on September 11, 2010, 8:12 GMT

hi all,
i am an indian cricket fan and also an avid follower of pakistani team...and i am saddened by wats happening with the pakistan team..its sad that some players are not being patriotic enough while representing their nations...i hope pakistan cricket can bounce back and we can have some awesome india pakistan games again...and then we will be all again saying hindustan zindabad...pakistan zindabad...and in the bigger picture cricket will be a winner again...inshallah

safwan
on September 11, 2010, 6:39 GMT

aptly put kamran, human shamelessness seemingly knows no boundaries, our president and his friends are having a field time ruining what little is left of this country!

most people argue that sports should be an entity totally detached from the peculiarities of politics and political regimes, sadly in our part of the world, they are deeply intertwined, thus producing horrific results! we have become the laughing stock of world cricket, i watched yesterday's match with the audio switched off, as bearing the commentators jibes and curses about our team is fast becoming impossible!

EAMiran
on September 11, 2010, 6:33 GMT

Yeah!Yeah! Yadda!Yadda! PCB to blame? Sure. What about the players?!! We have a numbnut captain who cannot bat yet promotes himself up the order all the time. His crazy batting style (if one can call it that) has infected the younger generation of Pak batsmen from the late 90's onwards. We insist on a useless and possibly crooked wicketkeeper who is praised just because he holds onto a catch! An opener in Mohammed Hafeez who has an average of 18! Butt, Hafeez, Nazir, Farhat, K Akmal, Malik, Afridi, Gul (from mediocrity to liability) & Kaneria. Sadly, the pathetic list goes on.Furthermore, we have 2 talented seniors who act like retarded juveniles & are both possibly over their sell-by dates. 2 immensely talented pacers who may never play the game because they are allegedly corrupt. 1 half-fit limping fast bowler who, though effective, is about to injure himself again.
And then there is the fielding! This is the Pakistan cricket team. Rotten fish! You've got that right.

SAB
on September 11, 2010, 5:00 GMT

Kamran Akmal should not be playin as WK in any form of game.......... The most consistent line about Pakistan cricket is "DROPPED BY KAMRAN", for how many and many games shall we hear this, really fed up of this!!!!!!!!!!!
I cant understand how he is freed from charges?????? If he dint loose Sydney test on purpose, then DOES HE DESERVE THE PLACE IN TEAM???????????
One good thing is they have got rid of MALIK, and now hopefully SALMAN BUTT, now only Kamran is left...........

Ali Eorse
on September 11, 2010, 3:39 GMT

Pakistan Zindabad. The trio that were caught (Amir, Asif, and Butt) need to go away. Give them a golden parachut, but get them to leave the front-page. Bring Younis Khan back. Bring Shoaib Malik back.

The goal is:

If you do not have integrity, we do not want you. (You are talented, fine. There are talented cricketers, dime a dozen).

We need cricketers with honesty, dedication, and sporting attitude.

Then there will be a morning. The trio that has been caught is gone. Even if they come back (say a lighter fine), they will be useless. No team will take the seriously.

It is time to move forward. Is Pakistan ready? Are you ready?

Shahid
on September 11, 2010, 1:18 GMT

I WILL NOT WRITE ANY COMMENTS THIS TIME. CRICKET WAS MY LIFE NOW IT IS WORST THAN MY DIVORCED WIFE.

Meety
on September 11, 2010, 1:14 GMT

Hi Kamran,
This article is what Pak cricket is all about. The 3/4 of your article is all doom & gloom, (rightly so), where will it all end? Then came the 2nd last paragraph re Irfan & Shafiq, (hopefully not overrated), & the last line "Can Boom Boom and his band of tortured men demonstrate the real power of cricket?" - suggests to me there is hope left in the old pakistani tiger, she might be missing a leg & a couple of teeth, but dismiss her at your peril! I think Pakistan could still be a force at the next World Cup, particularly as Australia should be considered beatable. I think the Akmal bros (I think K Akmal should not be playing tests as a W/K), Yousuf, Afridi, Alam - (I thought he had real talent on the ill-fated Aus tour), Akhtar, & Ajmal are the nucleus of a good ODI squad. I predict, (assuming no fixing) - Pakistan will reach the semi finals. I say this because I don't think there are 4 good ODI teams at the moment.

shoaib
on September 11, 2010, 0:22 GMT

after inzi all the captains bcame victim of plyr pwr. starting with Malik. the PAK vs SL match: Qaddafi Stadium: Flat Pitch: SL made around 300, Pak all out in 70's. i guess evry1 knew it was deliberately done. no frmer plyr, Media, kamran, osman, NOBODY raised concerned at what happened and how it happened. i think they were all happy that Mailk was a goner. one such disgraceful loss wont hurt. BUT IT HURT PAKISTAN BIG TIME. mayb with this psyche, Asif, Amir, Butt(if guilty) thought fixing 2 no balls in a match wont hurt pak. plyrs lost matches deliberately for different reasons in the past. nobody raised ne voice against them.
so just blaming current board for everything is not fair. even though its the worst board ever.but every1 is responsible. Media and all columnists have to raise voice everytime unjustice is done.
We have 2 understand that there is a JUDGE above all the judges, and his judgment is the most just and well deserved, and when it comes no1 c it coming.

Madih Ali Ahmad
on September 10, 2010, 20:53 GMT

We are just helpless.the cricket scenario just speaks for the state of affairs in our country & Ijaz butt has just declared that he wont be resigning even if the players are found guilty. So when will he resign, when the icc bans Pakistan and he has got no opportunity to ruin our cricket. Please Butt call it a day, things have gone from bad to worse under u.
There have been numerous occasions when i have thought to leave cricket.I watched the galle test at a hospital & almost cried. then watched the champions trophy semifinal & went into a shock.watched the sydney test in college by bunking half of my class at college & what did i get in return INSULT AND BROKEN HEART.But still,i can never even think of leaving cricket.the love of pakistan and pak cricket does not allow me to even think on these lines.The late 90s pak team wasim, waqar, saqlain, saeed anwar and shoaib akhtar plus the pumping up of moin khan still beats in my heart

We are down but INSHAALLAH we will rise again and RULE

Muhammad Saidul Haque
on September 10, 2010, 19:54 GMT

Assalamulaikum Kamran vhai, please listen carefully everybody, just tell me if any player of any national team deserves to play cricket for his own country--- how much & what kind of proper educated, matured, skillful strength[powerful wrist watch to hit the ball away over the head of opponent fieldsmen] & talented commonsense to bowl cautiously maintaining accuracy to the opposite batsmen to defend the crucial total runs. Please don't tell me they[pakistanis] are frustrated, distressed, bored, unfaithful over each other. They are playing now-a-days like the real illiterate, indisciplined, unplanned, reckless, unrestricted, foolish with childish mannered attitude while batting or bowling whenever they use to compete any type of cricket format. Who respects whom ? Do the all players honestly support with their true hard effort showing to any team captain ? Do the all players completely & reliably commit for their own fair PATRIOTISM ? Do the all Pakistani players love their country ?

Irfan
on September 10, 2010, 19:41 GMT

As long as the mind will think, the fingers will move, you can put together a coherent sentence. One, which can reflects your state of mind. Many a times I tried to do just that and gave up. Anger, frustration and sadness has numbed mind and body. Hope has given way to despair yet the nonchalant manner of chaos which is called PCB or teams management continues. I realize that President has the best excuse to look the other way because of the floods and the wars. Cricket may not rate to be an urgency on his radar, so the rot will continue. Butt will laugh at the face of his critics flaunting all that went wrong as his successes. Alone, the news of Butt and Kamran being served notices should have been enough reason to disassociate them form the the team. Why is Kamran still persisted with is another mystery to me. Yawar Saeed along with Shafqat Rana should have been replaced with a new team. Cronyism zindabad. Just bury the carcass of this proverbial dead beast into English grounds.

muzz
on September 10, 2010, 18:58 GMT

seen I bit of glimpse of haope today for pakistan - but English team are slacking in fielding and off course umpires missing the vital edges so??????????? will they retain the Ashes or Ponting gets it back 5-0 or Get the world cup 1st time I really doubtdoubt it. Bet is on-----------

Murtaza Moiz
on September 10, 2010, 16:05 GMT

@Faisal Jaan: So true I again agree with you that no team would drop players of Younis, Fawad, Yousaf's caliber from a Test side. They know how to stay and how to take team with them! Unlike some of the great players across the border, no doubt he's a great player but being a human being this has been his weakness, as every human has some weakness!

Murtaza Moiz
on September 10, 2010, 15:56 GMT

@Faisal Jaan: I do second you as I am also a 22 years old boy and every day I think of stop watching this game but another day I'll find watching the game either on TV or on the Net. That's the passion of cricket in Pakistan. But sorry to say this controversy also opened the doors for other sports, so that there wont be the "Cricket Monopoly" as we call it!

I may be wrong as these are my own personal opinion =)

Sarmad Qureshi
on September 10, 2010, 11:01 GMT

Excellent article Mr. Abbasi. Belonging to the World cup Winning generation (I was 24 in 1992), and witnessing the 2w's skills during the 90's, I always held the belief that we can win any match against any team from nowhere. It did not matter if we lost, because it was the belief that made me keep my faith in the green caps.
Unfortunately, it all wilted slowly, I managed to alter my faith that to the extent that we can not win all matches, that our team is rebuilding, that we can even lose to Ireland if luck is against us, but never in my wildest dreams I could imagine that we could lose the Sydney test. I could not sleep that night. It was the lowest point of our test cricket history, but now even if PCB or ICC or Scotland Yard fail to prove any thing against the corrupt cricketers, I know from all available evidences that my belief was right, but it were these corrupt players who sold their soul and country's pride for millions of dollars.
It would never be the same again for me.

Faisal Jaan
on September 10, 2010, 10:47 GMT

Dear Kamran bhai,

I am following Pakistan cricket since 1990. Each new scandal produces a spark in me to "call it a day". But one can't stop watching this beautiful game and team. I love cricket and love Pakistan team in every thick and thin.
Things are not that gloomy.
1. It is only a year ago, Pakistan won a world cup.
2. It is not far before, Pakistan won against the Aussies after 15 years of misery.
3. We got talents like Umar Akmal, Aamer, and Big Irf now.
4. In T20, we are still the leaders of the world.

If we bring our act together, bring right management, do right selection for right format; we still are as lethal we have been historically. Just see some examples.

a.) No other team would ever drop Younis, Fawad, Yousaf from a Test side.
b.) No other team would sit out player like Imran Nazir and Sohail Tanir from T20. Even Malik.
Right people at right time are required.

khalil
on September 10, 2010, 10:42 GMT

Afridi alone cannot do anything,who himself has a history of indiscipline at his credit. The only solution is to disband the present team, irrespective of talent or status. By doing so at least we can erase the memories of a deadly ENG tour, to some extent. Even if they are proved innocent,they will not be the cleanest of players in the history of cricket. So forget about the present set of players & disband the whole team,to give a strong message to the players as well as the cricket fans. The cricket fans have lost their faith in the game. They want that the team be called back. The players are not in a frame of mind to play. They are just going through the motions.

No featured comments at the moment.

khalil
on September 10, 2010, 10:42 GMT

Afridi alone cannot do anything,who himself has a history of indiscipline at his credit. The only solution is to disband the present team, irrespective of talent or status. By doing so at least we can erase the memories of a deadly ENG tour, to some extent. Even if they are proved innocent,they will not be the cleanest of players in the history of cricket. So forget about the present set of players & disband the whole team,to give a strong message to the players as well as the cricket fans. The cricket fans have lost their faith in the game. They want that the team be called back. The players are not in a frame of mind to play. They are just going through the motions.

Faisal Jaan
on September 10, 2010, 10:47 GMT

Dear Kamran bhai,

I am following Pakistan cricket since 1990. Each new scandal produces a spark in me to "call it a day". But one can't stop watching this beautiful game and team. I love cricket and love Pakistan team in every thick and thin.
Things are not that gloomy.
1. It is only a year ago, Pakistan won a world cup.
2. It is not far before, Pakistan won against the Aussies after 15 years of misery.
3. We got talents like Umar Akmal, Aamer, and Big Irf now.
4. In T20, we are still the leaders of the world.

If we bring our act together, bring right management, do right selection for right format; we still are as lethal we have been historically. Just see some examples.

a.) No other team would ever drop Younis, Fawad, Yousaf from a Test side.
b.) No other team would sit out player like Imran Nazir and Sohail Tanir from T20. Even Malik.
Right people at right time are required.

Sarmad Qureshi
on September 10, 2010, 11:01 GMT

Excellent article Mr. Abbasi. Belonging to the World cup Winning generation (I was 24 in 1992), and witnessing the 2w's skills during the 90's, I always held the belief that we can win any match against any team from nowhere. It did not matter if we lost, because it was the belief that made me keep my faith in the green caps.
Unfortunately, it all wilted slowly, I managed to alter my faith that to the extent that we can not win all matches, that our team is rebuilding, that we can even lose to Ireland if luck is against us, but never in my wildest dreams I could imagine that we could lose the Sydney test. I could not sleep that night. It was the lowest point of our test cricket history, but now even if PCB or ICC or Scotland Yard fail to prove any thing against the corrupt cricketers, I know from all available evidences that my belief was right, but it were these corrupt players who sold their soul and country's pride for millions of dollars.
It would never be the same again for me.

Murtaza Moiz
on September 10, 2010, 15:56 GMT

@Faisal Jaan: I do second you as I am also a 22 years old boy and every day I think of stop watching this game but another day I'll find watching the game either on TV or on the Net. That's the passion of cricket in Pakistan. But sorry to say this controversy also opened the doors for other sports, so that there wont be the "Cricket Monopoly" as we call it!

I may be wrong as these are my own personal opinion =)

Murtaza Moiz
on September 10, 2010, 16:05 GMT

@Faisal Jaan: So true I again agree with you that no team would drop players of Younis, Fawad, Yousaf's caliber from a Test side. They know how to stay and how to take team with them! Unlike some of the great players across the border, no doubt he's a great player but being a human being this has been his weakness, as every human has some weakness!

muzz
on September 10, 2010, 18:58 GMT

seen I bit of glimpse of haope today for pakistan - but English team are slacking in fielding and off course umpires missing the vital edges so??????????? will they retain the Ashes or Ponting gets it back 5-0 or Get the world cup 1st time I really doubtdoubt it. Bet is on-----------

Irfan
on September 10, 2010, 19:41 GMT

As long as the mind will think, the fingers will move, you can put together a coherent sentence. One, which can reflects your state of mind. Many a times I tried to do just that and gave up. Anger, frustration and sadness has numbed mind and body. Hope has given way to despair yet the nonchalant manner of chaos which is called PCB or teams management continues. I realize that President has the best excuse to look the other way because of the floods and the wars. Cricket may not rate to be an urgency on his radar, so the rot will continue. Butt will laugh at the face of his critics flaunting all that went wrong as his successes. Alone, the news of Butt and Kamran being served notices should have been enough reason to disassociate them form the the team. Why is Kamran still persisted with is another mystery to me. Yawar Saeed along with Shafqat Rana should have been replaced with a new team. Cronyism zindabad. Just bury the carcass of this proverbial dead beast into English grounds.

Muhammad Saidul Haque
on September 10, 2010, 19:54 GMT

Assalamulaikum Kamran vhai, please listen carefully everybody, just tell me if any player of any national team deserves to play cricket for his own country--- how much & what kind of proper educated, matured, skillful strength[powerful wrist watch to hit the ball away over the head of opponent fieldsmen] & talented commonsense to bowl cautiously maintaining accuracy to the opposite batsmen to defend the crucial total runs. Please don't tell me they[pakistanis] are frustrated, distressed, bored, unfaithful over each other. They are playing now-a-days like the real illiterate, indisciplined, unplanned, reckless, unrestricted, foolish with childish mannered attitude while batting or bowling whenever they use to compete any type of cricket format. Who respects whom ? Do the all players honestly support with their true hard effort showing to any team captain ? Do the all players completely & reliably commit for their own fair PATRIOTISM ? Do the all Pakistani players love their country ?

Madih Ali Ahmad
on September 10, 2010, 20:53 GMT

We are just helpless.the cricket scenario just speaks for the state of affairs in our country & Ijaz butt has just declared that he wont be resigning even if the players are found guilty. So when will he resign, when the icc bans Pakistan and he has got no opportunity to ruin our cricket. Please Butt call it a day, things have gone from bad to worse under u.
There have been numerous occasions when i have thought to leave cricket.I watched the galle test at a hospital & almost cried. then watched the champions trophy semifinal & went into a shock.watched the sydney test in college by bunking half of my class at college & what did i get in return INSULT AND BROKEN HEART.But still,i can never even think of leaving cricket.the love of pakistan and pak cricket does not allow me to even think on these lines.The late 90s pak team wasim, waqar, saqlain, saeed anwar and shoaib akhtar plus the pumping up of moin khan still beats in my heart

We are down but INSHAALLAH we will rise again and RULE

shoaib
on September 11, 2010, 0:22 GMT

after inzi all the captains bcame victim of plyr pwr. starting with Malik. the PAK vs SL match: Qaddafi Stadium: Flat Pitch: SL made around 300, Pak all out in 70's. i guess evry1 knew it was deliberately done. no frmer plyr, Media, kamran, osman, NOBODY raised concerned at what happened and how it happened. i think they were all happy that Mailk was a goner. one such disgraceful loss wont hurt. BUT IT HURT PAKISTAN BIG TIME. mayb with this psyche, Asif, Amir, Butt(if guilty) thought fixing 2 no balls in a match wont hurt pak. plyrs lost matches deliberately for different reasons in the past. nobody raised ne voice against them.
so just blaming current board for everything is not fair. even though its the worst board ever.but every1 is responsible. Media and all columnists have to raise voice everytime unjustice is done.
We have 2 understand that there is a JUDGE above all the judges, and his judgment is the most just and well deserved, and when it comes no1 c it coming.